Dark Blast is a Skill that allows the player to unleash dark power and assume a Darker-like form, granting them exceeding combat prowess and insurmountable power.

Story

Elder

In a moment of grave crisis, Schlegger has possessed Melphonsina with the power of Ephemera and struck down both Gettemhart and the player. When Schlegger moves in for the killing blow against the player, Gettemhart suddenly steps in and takes the hit, absorbing a critical wound from Melphonsina's Twin Daggers. Despite his grave injury, Gettemhart refuses to go down easily, and decides to use what is left of his power and transfer it to the player. Upon doing so, the player absorbs the record of Gettemhart from the Oracle universe, who recounts his past with the player before bestowing to them the power of Dark Falz [Elder]. Using their newfound strength, the player unleashes a power that transforms them into a Darker-like humanoid being, and proceeds to engage Schlegger in combat with the support of Gettemhart and Melphonsina. Schlegger, despite his overwhelming strength in his Omega Hunar form, is quickly defeated by the player's Dark Blast, and dissipates from Melphonsina's body.

Loser

After resorting to an Ephimera Flower to shatter the Evil Red Dragon's protection, Luther's mind starts being corroded by the Ephimera's aftereffects. At first it seemed like simple exaustion from employing so much strenght in the deed, but one night Loser takes over and kidnaps Harriet, flying away on his new dark wings. After tracking down Loser to a hidden cave shown to the player via memories of Luther's past, it is revealed that Loser was attempting to use Harriet as a vessel to revive Shion. After being found, Loser becomes angry at the sight of the player, as ARKS foils his plans for a second time. Here, Loser remembers his identity fully and takes on the form of Omega Angel to deal with the player once and for all. The battle rages on as Loser summons Avian Darkers to fight for him. As the player clashes with one of Loser's minions, Harriet resolves herself to vanquish Loser as an enemy of her kingdom. One last shred of Luther's past self surfaces to accept the killing blow. Now dying on the arms of Harriet, Luther pleads the player to protect his beloved sister and grants them the power of Dark Falz [Loser].

Apprentice

Having (sometimes awkwardly) defeated the Apprentice's Elite Four, the player and their group finally reach the capital city of the Kingdom of Epic. Escorting Margareta to her home temple, they are greeted by Margareta's high priest who, after being called out for his schemes, decides to drop the formalities and reveals himself as the mastermind behind the recent events: Elmir. Unimpressed, Margareta uses her power as Holy Queen to seemingly get rid of Elmir. During a moment of assumed safety, Elmir tricks Margareta into a trap, infusing her with Ephimera Energy. Apprentice takes over, but not before Margareta dismisses Eucreta and Aurora, who were tagging along with the player after being freed from Apprentice's control, back home from their summons. A rather humorous exchange between Margareta and Apprentice ensues within the former's conscience, conveniently visible on a nearby mirror's reflection, where she despairs at how slutty Apprentice's overall appearance is. Margareta then pleads the player to finish off Apprentice before she dies of embarrassment. Having enough of the tomfoolery, Apprentice assumes her Appregina Omega form to do battle against the player. Through the combined might of the player and Harriet, Apprentice is defeated. Just as she is, the Darker energy within her reaches critical mass, threatening to go out of control right there. Harriet thinks quickly and employs Luther's technique to siphon some of the energy off, giving the player an opening to close in and enter Margareta's conscience. There, the player finds Margareta further quarreling with Apprentice, now with her true aspect before she was made a Dark Falz host. After interrupting the two to remind them of the urgency of the situation, Margareta and Apprentice have a heartfelt moment before the former returns to the real world. After this, Apprentice herself exchanges a few more words with the player before they depart too, now bearing the power of Dark Falz [Apprentice]. At a later time, during an argument with Luther within the player's conscience, it is revealed that Apprentice's real name is in fact "Margareta".

Unlocking Dark Blast

Each Dark Blast form can be unlocked in one of two ways:

-Elder

Defeat any Omega Hunar (Lv. 70+)
Clear EPISODE 5 Chapter 2 Part 3 "The Rebellion to Elder"

-Loser

Clear the Emergency Quest "Incarnation of Knowledge" on Super Hard difficulty or higher
Clear "EPISODE 5" Chapter 3 "Researching Another World"

-Apprentice

Once Dark Blast is unlocked, it become available to all characters on the given account. Dark Blast Exp is shared between characters of the same account, but acquired skills will be specific to the character.

Usage

Once unlocked, Dark Blast can be installed to the subpalette.

Dark Blast has a default duration of 60 seconds and can only be used once per Quest. If your HP drops to 0 while in Dark Blast, you will be forced out of the transformation prematurely.

Dark Blast Gauge

To activate Dark Blast, the player must charge the Dark Blast Gauge by inflicting damage and defeating enemies, in similar vein to a Photon Blast or Compound Technique. This Gauge has properties different that of either.

Dark Blast Gauge can only charge a maximum of 5% every 2.5s.
Damage required to hit 5% varies by difficulty. For example, Normal difficulty requires 3000 damage to charge 5% of the gauge, while Super Hard difficulty requires roughly 95,000 damage.
Damage inflicted against bosses fills the Dark Blast Gauge slower (1/6th speed for mini-bosses, 1/12th speed for large bosses).
Dark Blast Gauge fill rate is dependent on the elapsed time in a Quest.
- Quest Start ~ 2:30 = 1/8x Gauge Fill
- 8:00+ = 3x Gauge Fill
- 10:00+ = 9x Gauge Fill
- 12:00+ = 27x Gauge Fill

Dark Blast is charged once the icon lights up, and can be activated by selecting the icon from the subpalette, hovering the cursor over the icon of the desired Form, then pressing Confirm when the Dark Blast image appears. This will cause the player to invoke a transformation sequence preceded by a set Lobby Action, which will transform the player into the Dark Blast form. The default selected Dark Blast form will be memorized from the last time Dark Blast was activated.

Properties

Immunity to all forms of knockback and status effects. However, Guar Zigmorde's instant death attack will still trigger normally and kill you if you are affected by it prior to transformation.
Immunity to field gimmicks, such as tornadoes.
While Dark Blasting, the player's voice is replaced with a voice unique to Dark Blast. This voice can be disabled in Options.
Unable to interact with certain field objects, such as turrets. You are, however, capable of utilizing Catapult Panels.
Dark Blast will be deactivated if the player changes Areas.

Dark Blast EXP

Once Dark Blast is learned, a portion of all EXP accumulated will be added to Dark Blast as "Dark Blast EXP". You can earn Dark Blast EXP even if you do not transform in a Quest. Dark Blast EXP is tallied at the end of a Quest; leaving prematurely will not add Dark Blast EXP to your total. Once earned, Dark Blast EXP can be spent to level up Dark Blast Skills.

Depending on the field, Dark Blast EXP is typically set to convert at a rate of 10% of the normal EXP earned (all decimal points are rounded down). However, certain enemies in certain fields can dispense a greater ratio of EXP, up to 30% of their EXP payout, as Dark Blast EXP. This refers to Darker enemies whose strain matches the Dark Blast form. For example, Marine Darkers such as Dagacha and Zeshrayda will grant more Dark Blast EXP to Elder Form while Avian Darkers like Luda Sorcerer and Blu Ringahda will grant more Dark Blast EXP to Loser Form.

Dark Blast EXP is earned on an account-wide basis, allowing all characters on the same account to receive Dark Blast EXP simultaneously. However, Dark Blast EXP can be distributed on a per-character basis, allowing you to freely determine Dark Blast growth for each individual character on the same account.

Stats

Elder Form

Photon Arts

File:UIDarkBlastElderNormalAttack.png Basic Attack

A series of combination punches and kicks forward. Can combo up to 3 times or 5 times with certain skills acquired. Will have Just Attack rings after each move and will benefit from Just Attack bonuses.

Tyrant Strike

Jump up and dive-kick towards the target. Can reach far away enemies if they are locked on.

Infinity Rush

Unleashes a barrage of punches forward. The button can be held to prolong the attack but it will constantly drain your PP. Releasing the button will perform a finishing punch forward. If held long enough, Elde'r wings will start glowing and the finishing punch will be stronger.

Punishment Knuckle

Perform a strong, straight punch forward with some reach. If held down, will charge up the punch. Once Elder's wings glow, a fully charged punch can be released with more power and longer reach.

Skills

Add Basic Attack Combo 1

Adds a 4th move to your Basic Attack Combo. An uppercut that launches you upward.

Pre-requisite:

Defeat a total of 30 enemies while using Elder Dark Blast

Note: Skills that require a specific number of enemies defeated during Dark Blast will always keep track of progress throughout any number of quests where Dark Blast is activated. This means you are not forced to attain the total number of kills in a single Dark Blast activation. This also applies to skills that require multiple usage of other skills to unlock.

Add Basic Attack Combo 2

Adds a 5th move to your Basic Attack Combo. A vicious dunk downward that destroys whatever's on the point of impact.

Pre-requisite:

Perform the 4th move of a Basic Attack Combo a total of 10 times.
Defeat a total 130 enemies during Elder Dark Blast.

Physical Dash

Activated skill that makes you run as thought you used a Dash Panel. You can turn and jump without interrupting the Dash. Attacking during the Dash will launch a strong lunging punch forward, prematurely ending the Dash.

Pre-requisite:

Activate Elder Dark Blast transformation during a Buster Quest.

Punishment Short Charge

Reduces the charge time of the Dark Blast PA "Punishment Knuckle".

Pre-requisite:

Defeat a total of 10 enemies by using a fully charged Dark Blast PA "Punishment Knuckle".

Ultimate Impact

An activated skill that briefly channels dark power and then releases it in a devastating blast that obliterates anything in a large cone in front of you. This skill can only be activated once per Dark Blast transformation.

Pre-requisite:

Use the activated skill "Darkness Wall" once
Use the activated skill "Physical Dash" a total of 10 times
Defeat a total of 500 enemies during Elder Dark Blast

Note: After activating this skill, you have a small window of time to, if necessary, adjust the direction of the blast by turning to the sides.

Darkness Wall

An activated skill that erects a temporary ethereal barrier that blocks enemy attacks and attracts enemies to itself. The barrier cannot be damaged and is only duration-based.

Requirements:

-(No other requirements besides spending Dark Blast EXP)

Note: The barrier attracts enemies not by "pulling them in" like the Tech Zondeel but instead by drawing their aggro similar to the Hunter skill "Warcry".

Bloody Heal

An activated skill that restores your HP and the HP of all allies within range. This skill has no animation and can be activated at any moment, even during combos.

Requirements:

-(No other requirements besides spending Dark Blast EXP)

HP Up

Raises the maximum HP of your Dark Blast transformation

Requirements:

-(No other requirements besides spending Dark Blast EXP)

PP Up

Raises the maximum PP of your Dark Blast transformation.

Requirements:

-(No other requirements besides spending Dark Blast EXP)

All ATK Up

Raises the S-ATK, R-ATK and T-ATK of your Dark Blast transformation.

Requirements:

-(No other requirements besides spending Dark Blast EXP)

All DEF Up

Raises the S-DEF, R-DEF and T-DEF of your Dark Blast transformation.

Requirements:

-(No other requirements besides spending Dark Blast EXP)

D Attack Advance

Increases the base damage of your Basic Attacks during Dark Blast.

Requirements:

-(No other requirements besides spending Dark Blast EXP)

Tyrant Strike Up

Increases the base damage of the Dark Blast PA "Tyrant Strike".

Requirements:

-(No other requirements besides spending Dark Blast EXP)

Infinity Rush Up

Increases the base damage of the Dark Blast PA "Infinity Rush".

Requirements:

-(No other requirements besides spending Dark Blast EXP)

Punishment Knuckle Up

Increases the base damage of the Dark Blast PA "Punishment Knuckle"

Requirements:

-(No other requirements besides spending Dark Blast EXP)

PP Save

Reduces the PP consumption of all your Dark Blast PA's.

Requirements:

-(No other requirements besides spending Dark Blast EXP)

Escalation Power

After activating Dark Blast transformation, gradually increases your damage dealt by all sources over time up to a cap. Also reduces your damage taken by all sources in the same way.

Requirements:

-(No other requirements besides spending Dark Blast EXP)

Violence Step

Deals contact damage to enemies while using Step during Dark Blast and adds a Just Attack Window to your step.

Requirements:

-(No other requirements besides spending Dark Blast EXP)

Note: Using Step during Dark Blast consumes PP.

Loser Form

Photon Arts

File:UIDarkBlastLoserNormalAttack.png Basic Attack

Fire off a constant stream of shots forward. Does not produce Just Attack rings or benefit from Just Attack bonuses, but can be fired while moving or during the use of the skill "Sharp Glide".

Ortho Sa Barta

Hold to lock on to multiple targets with large ice spikes. Release to fire them all against the locked-on enemies. You can move while charging.

Convergent Ray

Charge up a strong laser beam while holding down the button. Release to deal damage to all enemies on the path of the beam. Charging for long enough will make Loser's wings glow and a much stronger beam can be fired when released. You can move while charging.

Gamma Burst

Launch an energy torpedo that explodes in a very wide area of the target, dealing heavy damage to all enemies caught in the blast.

Skills

Wisdom Force

An activated skill that produces an instant shockwave around you that damages nearby enemies and serves as an all-round guard. This skill has no animation and can be activated at any moment.

Pre-requisite:

Defeat a total of 30 enemies during Dark Blast Loser.

Dive Assault

Activated skill that performs a nosedive, releasing a powerful shockwave when hitting a surface. Can be used at any height but will consume PP according to distance traveled.

Pre-requisite:

Use the activated skill "Sharp Glide" a total of 5 times.

Counter Step

Using Step during Dark Blast Loser will fire off a volley of shots forward. Successfully evading an enemy attack will add an extra enhanced shot.

Pre-requisite:

Hit enemies 1000 times with Dark Blast Loser's basic attacks.

Ortho Sabarta Shot Up

Increases the number of lock-on targets of the Dark Blast PA "Ortho Sabarta".

Pre-requisite:

Use the Dark Blast PA "Ortho Sabarta" a total of 50 times.

Diffusion Ray

An activated skill that unleashes a massive continuous torrent of dark energy that vaporizes everything in front of you. You can turn the beam to spread destruction further. This skill can only be activated once per Dark Blast transformation.

Pre-requisite:

Hit enemies with the enhanced "Counter Step" attack a total of 20 times.
Use the activated skill "Wisdom Force" a total of 20 times.
Hit enemies with a fully charged Dark Blast PA "Conversion Ray" a total of 30 times.

Sharp Glide

Activated skill that makes you fly forward as thought you used the AIS skill "Overboost". You can turn, ascend and cast some skills while flying. Using Step will prematurely end the flight.

Requirements:

-(No other requirements besides spending Dark Blast EXP)